‘My opponent is Priyanka Vadra’: Smriti Irani on battle for Amethi Lok Sabha seat

The Congress has fielded Gandhi family loyalist KL Sharma against Irani, the sitting Amethi MP.

Published on: May 16, 2024, 08:31:14 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Congress may have fielded Gandhi family loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma against Smriti Irani from its traditional Amethi Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, but according to the Union minister, her “opponent” is Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Congress general secretary.

File Photo: Union minister Smriti Irani, Rahul Pradeep Pandit/ HT Photo)

Click here for live election updates

“I do not want to indulge in juvenile politics,” the incumbent Amethi MP told News18, when asked about Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from nearby Rae Bareli instead of his former constituency, and his sister not making her electoral debut despite much speculation.

“My opponent is Priyanka Vadra, she is fighting from the backstage. At least the brother was in front. In 2014 too, Rahul won by a margin of 1.07 lakh votes,” Irani stated.

Also Read: In battleground Amethi, Priyanka pitches it as Smriti Irani vs the Gandhis

The Congress general secretary has been campaigning extensively for the two seats, synonymous with the Gandhis. Both Amethi and Rae Bareli have given multiple terms to members of the grand old party's first family or their aides. While Sonia Gandhi, the siblings' mother, is a former Amethi MP, and won five consecutive elections from Rae Bareli, Rahul Gandhi made his debut from Amethi in 2004, and won two more terms, but was defeated by BJP's Irani in 2019, five years after she was runner-up to him. However, the then-Congress chief also fought from Kerala's Wayanad and won, and thus continued to be a Member of Parliament (MP).

In the ongoing seven-phase Lok Sabha polls, Rahul again stood from Wayanad, which voted in the second phase on April 26. Days later, the Congress named him as its candidate from Rae Bareli, which Sonia Gandhi vacated in February and moved to Rajya Sabha. Sharma, meanwhile, was named against Irani in Amethi.

Also Read: Who is Kishori Lal Sharma, Congress candidate against Smriti Irani in Amethi?

Both constituencies will poll in the fifth phase on May 20. From Rae Bareli, the ruling BJP has given ticket to Uttar Pradesh minister Dinesh Pratap Singh, who lost to Sonia Gandhi in 2019, though he managed to reduce the victory margin significantly.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.